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The Living Oracle #2
Hidden Enemy
Return to the world of The Last Oracle!
With the destruction of the barrier protecting our world from the lost realm of Faerie, conflict rises between the Wardens and the magical adepts who created it. While most adepts understand Helena’s role in eliminating the barrier, some adepts, angry with the loss of their life’s work, call for her to restore it.
And one adept may want her dead.
A series of mysterious poems lead Helena and Malcolm on a hunt for someone whose powers of illusion defeat even the Wardens’ skills. As the enigmatic figure stalks Helena, only her oracular gift stands between her and a madman who believes she’s someone she isn’t.
But what can even an oracle do against an enemy who strikes from the shadows?
With the destruction of the barrier protecting our world from the lost realm of Faerie, conflict rises between the Wardens and the magical adepts who created it. While most adepts understand Helena’s role in eliminating the barrier, some adepts, angry with the loss of their life’s work, call for her to restore it.
And one adept may want her dead.
A series of mysterious poems lead Helena and Malcolm on a hunt for someone whose powers of illusion defeat even the Wardens’ skills. As the enigmatic figure stalks Helena, only her oracular gift stands between her and a madman who believes she’s someone she isn’t.
But what can even an oracle do against an enemy who strikes from the shadows?
- GenresFantasy
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2024
20 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Melissa McShane
94 books860 followersMelissa grew up a nomad, following her family all over the United States, and ended up living in the shadow of the Wasatch Mountains with her husband, four kids, and three very needy cats. Her love of reading was always a constant during those uncertain years, and her love of writing grew out of that. She wrote reviews and critical essays for many years before turning to fiction, and was surprised at how much she liked it. She loves the fantasy genre and how it stretches the imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 28, 2024
This is second in a series that's a follow-on to the other series. I recommend reading the first book of this one first because that's absolutely necessary for the plot. Reading the Last Oracle series is probably for the best, but not truly necessary.
My standard, non-standard disclaimer applies for this review. Melissa and I have a great time discussing her books while she is writing them, though my influence on them is quite small. Plus, you know, living together the last thirty-two years. I try to be honest in all my reviews, yes even this one, but I won't hold it against you if you write this off as hopelessly biased.
Helena and Malcolm have a lot going on during this story. Nobody really knows what the elves are plotting in their adjacent world, they only know that first contact was very bloody. The Wardens are doing what they can to prepare, but the Adepts (who can do magic as well) are proving to be scattered and disjointed with no real leadership. So unreliable allies, to be generous.
And then a threat to Helena arises and it is exceptionally good at remaining in the shadows, frustrating the combat-oriented Wardens to no end. I enjoyed the twists of this plot and the discovery of some heretofore unsuspected weaknesses in the Warden evaluation of the Adepts (and the elves, as their magics are similar).
I love that we get a lot of Helena and her oracular children. Their lives are complicated by their gift and seeing children trying to handle that responsibility is endearing and engaging. Poor Alistair with his paladin soul and straight-forward approach to problems that gets him into so much trouble! I sympathize with that boy more than a little, having those same paladin urges myself. And I'm so glad we got some forward progress on what is up with Jenny's sensitivity to her prophecies.
And I love how compassionate Helena is even while confronting some twisty evil that needs confrontation and opposition. I love a strong heroine whose instincts are to help, even while knowing that helping isn't always possible. She's such a great character and I love having these stories about her and the crisis her world is going through with the possible elven incursion.
I think I'll leave it there as the temptation to spoil everything is intense. It's a wonderful story, fully deserving of five stars.
A note about Chaste: Helena and Malcolm are a loving couple and that includes mention of, and/or plans for, sex. There's no more than massages and kissing on the page, and that may be enough to trip past chaste for some. But not for me.
My standard, non-standard disclaimer applies for this review. Melissa and I have a great time discussing her books while she is writing them, though my influence on them is quite small. Plus, you know, living together the last thirty-two years. I try to be honest in all my reviews, yes even this one, but I won't hold it against you if you write this off as hopelessly biased.
Helena and Malcolm have a lot going on during this story. Nobody really knows what the elves are plotting in their adjacent world, they only know that first contact was very bloody. The Wardens are doing what they can to prepare, but the Adepts (who can do magic as well) are proving to be scattered and disjointed with no real leadership. So unreliable allies, to be generous.
And then a threat to Helena arises and it is exceptionally good at remaining in the shadows, frustrating the combat-oriented Wardens to no end. I enjoyed the twists of this plot and the discovery of some heretofore unsuspected weaknesses in the Warden evaluation of the Adepts (and the elves, as their magics are similar).
I love that we get a lot of Helena and her oracular children. Their lives are complicated by their gift and seeing children trying to handle that responsibility is endearing and engaging. Poor Alistair with his paladin soul and straight-forward approach to problems that gets him into so much trouble! I sympathize with that boy more than a little, having those same paladin urges myself. And I'm so glad we got some forward progress on what is up with Jenny's sensitivity to her prophecies.
And I love how compassionate Helena is even while confronting some twisty evil that needs confrontation and opposition. I love a strong heroine whose instincts are to help, even while knowing that helping isn't always possible. She's such a great character and I love having these stories about her and the crisis her world is going through with the possible elven incursion.
I think I'll leave it there as the temptation to spoil everything is intense. It's a wonderful story, fully deserving of five stars.
A note about Chaste: Helena and Malcolm are a loving couple and that includes mention of, and/or plans for, sex. There's no more than massages and kissing on the page, and that may be enough to trip past chaste for some. But not for me.
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July 9, 2025So, about this book. This has not been an easy series to write because I feel like I haven't fully internalized the primary conflict. In this volume, I needed to establish a couple of things: first, what magic the newly-discovered adepts have; second, how it compares to the magic of the Wardens; and third, . So this forwards the big plot in non-obvious ways.
That means there's not a lot of movement on the Big Picture of elves invading our world as introduced in Hidden Realm. There is, however, a lot of maneuvering of little pieces. We learn more about Helena's children, specifically Alastair's paladin tendencies and the truth behind why Jenny gets overwhelmed by fear when she has certain visions. We're reminded of the friendship Helena, Judy, and Viv share, and how that strengthens all of them. And we discover the limits of the oracle and how even Helena with all her power is still vulnerable to attacks.
It's all that little maneuvering that leaves me unsure whether it worked or not. I like making big steps in progressing toward a plot goal, and while this book puts the Wardens in a better position with regard to both their enemies, it still feels rather small to me. Or maybe I mean "intimate" in the sense of being a close-up look at the story. I'll go with that.
That means there's not a lot of movement on the Big Picture of elves invading our world as introduced in Hidden Realm. There is, however, a lot of maneuvering of little pieces. We learn more about Helena's children, specifically Alastair's paladin tendencies and the truth behind why Jenny gets overwhelmed by fear when she has certain visions. We're reminded of the friendship Helena, Judy, and Viv share, and how that strengthens all of them. And we discover the limits of the oracle and how even Helena with all her power is still vulnerable to attacks.
It's all that little maneuvering that leaves me unsure whether it worked or not. I like making big steps in progressing toward a plot goal, and while this book puts the Wardens in a better position with regard to both their enemies, it still feels rather small to me. Or maybe I mean "intimate" in the sense of being a close-up look at the story. I'll go with that.
February 22, 2024
A great second book in this series continuation; more of a suspense thriller than some of the previous books, and it had me racing back to the story whenever I could so that I could see what happened next. I did wish I’d re-read the previous book before I started this one, though, because it’s a straight continuation, with lots of references to the first book. The secondary storyline was woven into the high action main story masterfully, and beautifully showed how Helena is managing the dual roles of Oracle and motherhood in this season of her life. Lots of intriguing hints as to what the next book will be about, so I’m looking forward to that one!
I was lucky enough to receive this book for free as an ARC, but the decision to leave a review and all of my opinions are my own.
I was lucky enough to receive this book for free as an ARC, but the decision to leave a review and all of my opinions are my own.
February 29, 2024
Hidden Enemy is the second installment from The Living Oracle series by Melissa McShane. I loved the first book, Hidden Realm, and this follow up to it is no disappointment. I quickly was able to dive into Helena and Malcolm's story of adventure and action. The plot is not one that could be easily predicted, forcing me to continue to turn the pages until the end.
Hidden Enemy is getting a deserved five stars from me. I no doubt fans of fantasy fiction will love it as much as me. I am eagerly awaiting for the release of book three from The Living Oracle series.
I received a digital copy of Melissa McShane's Hidden Enemy from the author, but was not required to write a review, nor a positive one. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Hidden Enemy is getting a deserved five stars from me. I no doubt fans of fantasy fiction will love it as much as me. I am eagerly awaiting for the release of book three from The Living Oracle series.
I received a digital copy of Melissa McShane's Hidden Enemy from the author, but was not required to write a review, nor a positive one. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
July 31, 2025
This series is awful, and Helena is a boring useless character. Finished this book because I purchased it ages ago. Will NOT be buying the third. Apparently the elves from the other realm are such a hard core threat that they aren't in this book at all. The entire focus is some lame weird stalker who thinks Helena is hosting the Stargate (TM) in her body. Helena is so bloody inept, refuses to learn any type of defense, and seems to abhor violence. How is she even alive? Ugh. Let the bad guys kill her off.
March 3, 2024
Helena and Malcolm are back in book two and it is every bit as good as book one! It’s a fantastic continuation as we face more suspense, more action and a whole lotta more adventure! With wonderful world building and fantastic character growth and an exciting and complex storyline, I found myself easily drawn back into this incredible world as we follow this couple on their journey full of twists and turns and unpredictability. I thoroughly enjoyed this and I am so eager for the next book!
February 23, 2024
What an amazing book!! So excited to see The Oracle series branch out and develop into what it is now. You don’t have to read the first series however I am always looking for developed series. McShane is an outstanding author that can make you feel like you are right there in the action. This book has all the feel good moments!
March 3, 2024
Didn’t grab me
I feel this has too much what if’s and maybes to be interesting, which is sad as I have read some much in this world. I like complex and a rich world but you also have to movement and a sense of what is happening. I am not even curious about what happens.
I feel this has too much what if’s and maybes to be interesting, which is sad as I have read some much in this world. I like complex and a rich world but you also have to movement and a sense of what is happening. I am not even curious about what happens.
May 10, 2024
The faerie barrier is down and Helena, the Wardens, and some friendly Adepts are trying to prepare to protect the human world from a faerie attack. At the same time, someone is stalking Helena…and the anonymous messages are getting more threatening. To make matters worse, Helen's daughter is struggling with strange and frightening visions.
I love the characters, watching them change and grow. I love the plot—I did not figure out who the stalker was until very near the reveal. I love when that happens. I love seeing the Wardens and Adepts learning to trust each other a little, but it's not easy for any of them.
Great action, good writing, kept me reading. I loved this world in The Last Oracle series (highly recommend you read that one first), and I'm looking forward to more of this story.
There is some language, violence, and mentions of intimacy in a marital relationship, but nothing descriptive. I recommend it to older teens and adults who enjoy Contemporary Fantasy, and to anyone who liked the first series. 5 stars.
I love the characters, watching them change and grow. I love the plot—I did not figure out who the stalker was until very near the reveal. I love when that happens. I love seeing the Wardens and Adepts learning to trust each other a little, but it's not easy for any of them.
Great action, good writing, kept me reading. I loved this world in The Last Oracle series (highly recommend you read that one first), and I'm looking forward to more of this story.
There is some language, violence, and mentions of intimacy in a marital relationship, but nothing descriptive. I recommend it to older teens and adults who enjoy Contemporary Fantasy, and to anyone who liked the first series. 5 stars.
February 7, 2024
Melissa McShane's latest offering is Hidden Realms. It is a thrilling return to the new series about the Oracle once it has become embodied in the person (or mind) of Helena and her children. This time they work together in an increasingly coordinated and effective manner to help unmask a stalker who is the most advanced user of magic they have yet encountered. His purpose is . . . but no spoilers.
I was fascinated by the way the children were developing control and using their ability in an effective manner. Even the youngest child is beginning to be able to distinguish her emotions from those around her. It is crucial for her to be able to do so, because something new and startling has been discovered about Helena and Malcolm's youngest child, Jennifer. Jenny is a genetic sport like Helena, and she .. . again, spoilers.
This is another of McShane's high-action, thrill a minute tales. Try to catch your breath. You can't. I read the whole thing in one sitting, finally staggering to bed at 3 a.m. You don't have to have read the previous book in this series, Hidden Realms, but it is recommended, and why wouldn't you, because it excellent too.
I can't wait for the next one. I suspect Helena is going to desperately need the help of her children as the world faces a new invasion from an ancient and very dangerous enemy.
I was fascinated by the way the children were developing control and using their ability in an effective manner. Even the youngest child is beginning to be able to distinguish her emotions from those around her. It is crucial for her to be able to do so, because something new and startling has been discovered about Helena and Malcolm's youngest child, Jennifer. Jenny is a genetic sport like Helena, and she .. . again, spoilers.
This is another of McShane's high-action, thrill a minute tales. Try to catch your breath. You can't. I read the whole thing in one sitting, finally staggering to bed at 3 a.m. You don't have to have read the previous book in this series, Hidden Realms, but it is recommended, and why wouldn't you, because it excellent too.
I can't wait for the next one. I suspect Helena is going to desperately need the help of her children as the world faces a new invasion from an ancient and very dangerous enemy.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews